Will library be extended to include hub in Bishopbriggs?

FEARS have been raised that Bishopbriggs Library could be extended to include a community hub.

East Dunbartonshire Council is meeting this week and will talk about possible sites for the Bishopbriggs community hub – a one-stop-shop for council services.

The hub proposals are part of the Bishopbriggs town centre regeneration plans.

Councillor Renwick said: “The library is a focal building in the town so any extension will be controversial.

“The community hub is wrapped up in the town centre development but looking at the building I don’t know where they could add on to get the size they need for a hub.”

However, Bishopbriggs Community Council says it has not seen plans for the hub and wants a public consultation into any proposals.

Dominic Notarangelo, spokesperson for the community council, said: “There is an opportunity to do it properly and an opportunity to do it badly and the community council will comment on this once plans for the hub are made available.

“We want there to be a consultation into the hub plans and this is something I would expect the Bishopbriggs Town Team to get involved in.”

The council began work on its first hub in Kirkintilloch’s William Patrick Library earlier this month.

However, the £500,000 plans have caused outrage amongst residents who say they have not been consulted about the proposals and claim the new hub will reduce the library’s ground floor space by 10 per cent.

A petition against the proposals has received over 1,600 signatures.

Ann Davie, Head of Customer Relations & Organisational Development, said, “An update report on progress to identify a site for the proposed Bishopbriggs Community Hub will be considered by councillors at next week’s council meeting on Thursday, June 28.”